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Post by nhsilversti on Feb 5, 2008 10:12:17 GMT -5
we would like input from YOU
please tell us, no-holds-bared. we want the good, the bad and the ugly!
if you liked it, say so if something bothered you, say so if you disliked ANYTHING, TELL US!
this is here to help you make your event better! the more comments we have the better we can manage change.
clap, scream or holla NOW!
ted
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Post by nhsilversti on Feb 5, 2008 15:47:52 GMT -5
9 views and not a single comment
looks like no one cares
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Post by fbomb on Feb 5, 2008 16:11:19 GMT -5
My co-driver's flatulence issue.
Everyone needs CB's. I know it was stated this year but people still showed up without them. FFS ebay should have them dirt cheap. Some people were cutting off truckers and others in the caravan. Not a good idea. I'm sure a little chat on the CB will straighten that out.
Not sure people were expecting the quick gas stops. It's rough getting 60 people though one shitter. Maybe next year we can find places with more than one station so we can divide and conquer.
If it gets bigger, we need at least 2 groups. I know it was discussed in the beginning and met with some resistance. There will be people that want to run fast and some that aren't comfortable at what we consider normal cruising speeds. I would hate to have someone have an off just because they thought they were going to be left behind.
The splitting of the groups for the "off-road" sections worked better than I expected. In the future I think we need to have a group do the tarmac sections and one do the dirt/snow sections. As long as the people are aware of the breakage issues involved, as those that made that choice this trip, everyone will be happy. Let the groups know when you're leaving the next waypoint and they will know where to be.
The 2 groups can also make the stops quicker. Less people in line, less traffic at the pumps, ect.
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Post by fbomb on Feb 5, 2008 16:12:34 GMT -5
Or maybe they need time to think Ted. I did. Seriously, speak up. We don't bite.
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Post by Paisan on Feb 5, 2008 16:36:05 GMT -5
Also on the CB issue, I picked up my antenna at the Petro at exit 7 on the NJTP. There for $29 you could get the K30 Antenna, $35 for a CB, and $3 for a cigarette lighter plug end. So for about $70 all told you can pickup a CB and we can install it at the hotel on the first night.
-mike
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Post by saab90089 on Feb 5, 2008 19:24:26 GMT -5
I agree on the CB thing; that is a MUST HAVE. My co-driver commented many times about those w/o the CB's.
I think we will need to break down into groups for next year. Not sure how to do the split though. I think perhaps expierenced leader and backdoor for every group.
This never came up this year....but for what it's worth I really like the 3 day formatt over the 2 day formatt.
If I think of anything else I'll post it up. As other have said we need other comments....so far it is just the organizers responding.
ian
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Post by scrapin' on Feb 5, 2008 19:31:41 GMT -5
Everyone needs CB's. Divide and conquer gas stops. 2 groups. I think it should be mandatory to have a CB, not only does it allow you to be more involved in the experience, it is a valuable safety factor. I saw atleast several occasions where non CB'd cars pulled dangerous maneuvers in traffic that weren't necessary if only they had known they were about to exit the road they were on. The group idea needs to be explored, I think we found the limits of one large group this year. I know it's got to be less stressful for leaders not having to worry about keeping so many peoples in line. I think we have a number of people who could make great group leaders and back doors. I found that when Kyle and I were running with Ian and Jessie out to Cooperstown, we made a great team and were able to coordinate well. I think it might be cool for the groups to intersect at points (stops) and then people would be able to leave their group and change places with someone else in another group. In certain sections for those "special" roads we could all meet up and run together then break up again later. I know this would require a butt load more planning and I'm offering my services in anyway to help coordinate if need be. There should also be reminders along the way to let everyone know they do not need to pass a local just to stay inline if we are going to be on a route for many miles. I saw alot of people making a pass then cutting back in lane and slamming on the brakes, causing a chain reaction panic braking situation for everyone behind them. Those moves are a real pain in the ass. While on the subject of locals...we need to be more considerate of them. We travel thru their towns and expect courtesy from them and we should extend the same back. We created more than one traffic jamb "just because we can" which just causes frustration on their part and makes us look like asshats (especially when we are trying to do a good deed). Otherwise, I really appreciate the effort you guys put into this event and would really like to help out more. _rob
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Post by murray on Feb 5, 2008 22:06:52 GMT -5
havnt seen it mentioned in here yet, but i did like the trip being in Feb. rather than in January...my boss never did like me asking for a day off within the first week of the year...plus it gives more time for snow to arrive, which we all seem to like.
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Post by bravo12 on Feb 5, 2008 22:13:55 GMT -5
Just some suggestions:
1) Avoid the NYC area. The trip north could have been routed from the GSP to Rt 17 to 287 to I-87 up to Woodbury Commons. It would have been much quicker and avoided the clutch-burning leading up to the GWB. I understand that the Palisades Parkway is somewhat scenic during daylight hours, but since we hit it after dark, it was kind of a waste. I think if I would have stayed on the GSP up to I-87, I still could have beaten you guys to Uno's. I know the route won't be the same next year, but bypassing the NYC area should be a priority, especially when we know we'll be getting in late that night already.
2. I know this was discussed Sunday, especially after dinner at TGIF's, but we should probably break into two groups (or three, depending on the amount of people attending). I learned a long time ago on motorcycle trips that smaller groups can move through traffic quicker, and (in our case) get in and out of fuel stops quicker. Two groups taking the same route could leap-frog the fuel stops, getting everyone in and out in half the time, just meeting up for lunch and at the final destination. If we plan an off-road excursion and another option each day (like hitting the Pine Barrens or touring Precision Tuning), that would already form two distinct groups that could set out at different times and plan on a meeting spot later. And I definitely concur that each group should have an experienced leader and back-door.
3. I agree that everyone should have a CB, even a cheap one. Joe and Sarah ended up doing over 100mph behind me and Bruce when we were trying to get back to Abby, simply because they didnt have a CB and were just following, not knowing what was going on until we stopped (they tried to call me, but cell-phone reception was iffy). If they even had a hand-held, I could have let them know there was no need for them to speed with us.
4. I think every day should have an off-road excursion. It came close this time, with the Pine Barrens on Friday and the seasonal road on Saturday. Again, this goes back to breaking up the large group, but also gives folks an option and a way of deciding which group to roll with.
5. Mostly a post-event thing, but I would be happy to donate another $20 to get a CD with everyone's pics on it from the event.
6. We need to get a tour of SoA's warehouse!
Keep the raffle just the way it is - I had a great time, and everyone came away happy. I love the idea of everyone leaving with something. The above comments are just loose suggestions, and if they are not implemented I will still be there next year and probably several years after. This was probably the best trip I've had on four wheels!
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Post by saab90089 on Feb 5, 2008 22:36:15 GMT -5
Just some suggestions: 1) Avoid the NYC area. The trip north could have been routed from the GSP to Rt 17 to 287 to I-87 up to Woodbury Commons. It would have been much quicker and avoided the clutch-burning leading up to the GWB. I understand that the Palisades Parkway is somewhat scenic during daylight hours, but since we hit it after dark, it was kind of a waste. I think if I would have stayed on the GSP up to I-87, I still could have beaten you guys to Uno's. I know the route won't be the same next year, but bypassing the NYC area should be a priority, especially when we know we'll be getting in late that night already. YES! I have to agree this was probably the worst part of the trip for many. I recall getting caught in this just about every year? Or is it other areas that I'm thinking of? If there is a way to just work-around this area that would be great. Even if we end up driving the same time as sitting in traffic......driving is better then the traffic. Ian
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Post by 48hrs Admin on Feb 5, 2008 22:47:01 GMT -5
I actually went toward the PIP because I wanted to avoid the traffic which is generally the GSP North to Rt 17 and I87.
On a Friday afternoon it's usually bumper to bumper from exit 140 (Vaux Hall Road) all the way north on the GSP. You can forget Rt 17 on a Friday afternoon/evening as well. The Thruway is also usually a mess.
I drive the route we took toward the GWB every day home from work and 90% of the time it's smooth sailing. The rain caused it all to get into a wreck.
Also we were planning on being through that area about an hour earlier which would have helped as well. (We had an extended stay at the Vaux Hall Rest Area).
Next year we'll see, but if we hit SDC after SOA we will likely be going up the PIP as well.
-mike
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Post by 48hrs Admin on Feb 5, 2008 22:49:56 GMT -5
Not saying it was the right decision, but just wanted to give some background as to why we went that way.
-mike
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Post by nhsilversti on Feb 5, 2008 23:08:53 GMT -5
this is good info coming out, keep it coming!
just to point fingers....i did argue 2 groups starting way back when we only had 25 cars registered. mike now sees the light and agrees.
its kind of like when the "leader" would go through a toll booth and pull over to wait for everyone to get through. i kept YELLING "roll at the speed limit, dont stop" after a couple of closer calls, this was no longer a problem. this is what the cb's are for.
heck with feedback from drivers we have even managed to do dinner reservations. some of you will get the comedy in that.
we are traveling billboards, we shouldnt be running at 80+ on the highway unless traffic is, IMO. yes we have a schedule to keep but maybe the answer is to leave a little bit sooner in the morning
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Post by murray on Feb 6, 2008 7:00:03 GMT -5
just putting it out there... when someone gets a speeding ticket, everyone donates $2 to the cause...? im kidding
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Post by Paisan on Feb 6, 2008 7:56:37 GMT -5
just putting it out there... when someone gets a speeding ticket, everyone donates $2 to the cause...? im kidding I'm all for that. -mike
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